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Sound-Eklin of Carlsbad, Calif., a VCA-Antech company, has signed with Xoft Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., to exclusively supply the Axxent Veterinary Electronic Brachytherapy System to the veterinary industry.

The intraoperative system delivers isotope-free electronic radiation therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. This allows a higher treatment dose than is possible with traditional radiation therapy administered with a linear accelerator, the company reported. And, it means radiation therapy can be administered more easily and at far less cost than comes with a linear accelerator, the company reported.

Greg Stoutenburgh, vice president of marketing for Sound-Eklin, made the announcement June 10 in a news conference at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Anaheim, Calif.

Because more radiation can be administered with reduced collateral damage, fewer fractions need to be given—an important convenience factor, he said. Traditional radiation therapy is often administered in daily doses over a number of weeks, which can be wearing for patients and clients.

The system's low energy and rapid dose fall-off permit treatment in typical operating rooms with a clinician present. The lead-shielded bunkers required for using linear accelerators are not necessary, the company reported.

The system is being used in human cancer treatment for gynecological and skin cancers.

The cost savings possible with this technology is a boon for the veterinary industry, Stoutenburgh said.

“A refurbished linear accelerator goes for a minimum of $1 million, $1.2 million, $1.4 million,” Stoutenburgh said. “This unit sells for $235,000, less than a quarter the cost of a linear accelerator.”

Promotional materials say the technology is safe enough to use in any room with the therapist present. The unit plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet. It also allows treatment of lesions that linear accelerators can’t reach, such as nasal tumors.

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